ExpoNG 2015 and Colonel Péchot

Wrightscale will be at Expo Narrow Gauge this year, Saturday 31st October
www.expong.org     Colonel Péchot: Tracks to the trenches - Sarah Wright, Birse Press, 2014   will be available, with a special Show discount. Visit us at the Wrightscale stand and find out more!

Book cover design by James Albon

This is what the critics say.
 'Colonel Péchot was an officer in the French artillery and was the driving force behind the military adoption and use of 60cm gauge railways. This technology was copied by the Germans and subsequently by British and American  forces - and, as we know, made a pivotal contribution to the outcome of ... (World) war (One.)'
In 1882 Péchot 'presented a detailed memorandum to the War Ministry. Virtually all the equipment and techniques described therein would become reality as the years passed. Although familiar with the Decauville ... material then in production, Péchot determined 60cm (gauge) as being ... desirable and advocated the use of locomotives'
'Although his system was in part diverted by the military hierarchy to supply the network of frontier forts which were the approved means of national defence, it later came into its own ... when (the war which started in 1914) became embroiled in trench warfare. The light railways could be placed, repaired, replaced and advanced as necessary - and withdrawn with equal  facility when the need arose.'
'Although devoted primarily to Péchot and the French equipment, .. the work concludes with some consideration of the narrow gauge railway equipment used by the other allies and the German military.'

Contemporary print of the Péchot- Bourdon locomotive. Courtesy Raymond Duton

Of the technical details the critics say:
(The French) 'This book is the result of 20 years' research  and access to a number of private archives, especially the Péchot family, as well as French military archives.... It allows us sight of new documents and will retell the Péchot story to a new generation'
'At least half the book is devoted to describing in detail the designs and proinciples of the Péchot System, all well illustrated with period photographs and drawings. The Péchot-Bourdon locomotive design, for instance, is given lengthy coverage' 
'The work is illustrated with a large number of period engravings, diagrams, scale drawings and photographs, all black and white bar two tinted photographs on the back cover.'
Not buy the book?
There are a couple of French language books which cover similar topics.
'Flawed genius fits well and this book has its flaws, a number of annoying minor errors' Narrow Gauge News Issue 329
Should you buy it?
(It) 'will without doubt be considered the standard work on the subject. ... Highly recommended!' - Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review No 101
'Well researched and very detailed; ... For the modeller there are many useful drawings and photographs - from locomotives and rolling stock to cranes and track-panel systems.' 16mmm Today No 154
'This book is a complement to the many books already published about the history of the First World War. (It) would add much to the reader's railway knowledge. A true treasure chest' Heritage Railway No 198.' 
'Even in France, Péchot and his contribution were largely forgotten: this book does much to address this omission' Continental Modeller May 2015
'Without question, this book fills a major gap ... (and should be) on the bookshelf of any military narrow gauge enthusiast' (Narrow Gauge News Issue 329)